Nearly Two Dozen Women Honored for Positive Community Impact by Assemblyman O’Donnell

Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell honored 23 women at the Women of Distinction Recognition Ceremony Thursday night at the law office of Keesal, Young & Logan in Downtown Long Beach.

The 70th District assemblymember thanked the women on his staff, in his life and in the district, which includes most of Long Beach, Signal Hill, San Pedro and Catalina Island, for all the work they do.

“I want to thank the women in our lives for what they do to make the world a better place,” he said.

O’Donnell chose Martha Cota, a community activist and executive director of Latinos in Action, as Woman of the Year.

Cota works to engage the Latino community in the political process in an effort to train the next generation of Latino leaders.

Aside from Cota, O’Donnell also awarded 22 other women as 2017 Women of Distinction. Nominated by family and friends, the Women of Distinction have built reputations in medicine, law, community activism, charity, public safety and government.

The 2017 Women of Distinction are:

Carol Churchill

Gail Multke

Gretchen Swanson

Hazel Wallace

Jinelle Brand

Jo Murray

Kate Marr

Katherine McIlquham

Kimberly Ritter

Linda Simpkins

Zulma Maria Teixeira de Lima

Lisa Conner

Mary Simmons

Shannon Ross

Sylvia Manheim

Thary Ung

Trudy Briscoe

Kathleen Woodfield

Stacey Morrison

Netra Brown

Catherine Plows

Christina Lee

Sheila Levin, who nominated Linda Simpkins, said that it is important to acknowledge all the selfless work many women put into the community.

“Ever since I’ve known [Simpkins], since she was the PTA president at my daughter’s school, I noticed immediately that she was a giver, a volunteer,” Levin said. “She was the kind of PTA president that didn’t look for anything but to give to the children. Throughout the years I’ve known her, she has volunteered in one organization after another, tirelessly.”

All 23 nominees were given a plaque with the seal of the California State Assembly Thursday night, while friends and family celebrated their accomplishments.